Equinix Secures Rezoning Approval for Two Major Data Centers in Cape Town Amid Growing Opposition

Equinix has moved a step closer to expanding its African footprint after the Cape Town Municipal Planning Tribunal approved the rezoning of a 37-acre land parcel near the city’s airport. The approval allows the company to reclassify land within the King Air Industrial hub to accommodate a second, larger data center, though the proposal has drawn mounting public and legal opposition.

The two facilities are planned for Pallotti Road in King Air Industrial, a designated logistics and industrial zone. Equinix had already secured zoning for the first data center, which will span approximately 50,000 square meters (538,195 square feet). However, the second facility—significantly larger at 72,542 square meters (780,835 square feet)—required a change in land use classification. The King Air hub previously allocated land across four categories, with data centers falling under "General Industry." The tribunal’s decision on July 14 created a new, dedicated "data center" category and reallocated land from other uses to support the second facility.

Despite the rezoning victory, Equinix has not yet submitted a formal planning application for the data centers. "If we do submit for planning, we are committed to being fully transparent and will provide detailed information to all relevant stakeholders in a timely manner," a company representative told DCD. The statement underscores the cautious approach Equinix is taking as opposition to the project intensifies.

Criticism has been led by UK non-profit Foxglove and the South African organization Housing Assembly, which jointly filed the sole formal objection with the tribunal in April. They argued that Equinix had failed to disclose crucial details regarding the data centers' water usage, emissions, electricity demand, noise, and pollution. The lack of transparency has fueled public anger, with local media outlet IOL reporting that residents protested the tribunal’s decision. Online reaction has also been largely negative, reflecting broader concerns about the environmental and social impact of large-scale data center developments in the region.

Equinix currently operates one other data center in South Africa, located in Johannesburg. The Cape Town project represents a significant expansion for the company on the continent. However, the mounting opposition highlights the growing tension between the rapid buildout of digital infrastructure and the need for community engagement and environmental accountability in emerging markets.